
I am home. Or what I like to call “my parents home”. I have always been happy where they live now but I left my heart in the South when we moved to be closer to my grandparents. I do however like their present close proximity to Paris and the surrounding areas. I am spending a week there in the lush and cool climate of the Yvelines before heading down to Provence where I grew up.
As I was heading out to the Boulangerie-Patisserie the other day and took a few snapshots of their town. So typical of the area. A mix of old and new. Hope you enjoy the tour…

I know I am by the greenery around me. When we first moved here, we were mesmerized by how green and different trees and gardens were compared to Provence. You can bet I still have the same reaction now in South Carolina where things.

You know you are in France by the road signs and the very

I think I can safely say that every small town in France is built around the church and here is no exception. This is where I spent many Sunday mornings wondering if sermons were this long the world around!

Old stones always bring about respect. Last time I said that my grandfather laughed that himself was an old stone. I can’t even begin imagine what he thinks as he looks at the Veterans Monument. The guy is a century old. He’s seen both wars. He’s got stories. That’s why we are all gathering. We can’t stop listening. And learning.

I remember sitting on this bench outside the church impatiently waiting for my parents to stop chatting with their friends and to take us to the patisserie for a little Sunday treat. Today I thought what a great background for my pictures this piece of old wood could be!

That afternoon, instead of coming straight home, I decided to take my niece Lea on a little walk through the park around the corner from my parents’ house. I handed her a little point and shoot and hop we went.

We walked for a few minutes and then I looked behind me and the picture before me filled my heart with love and pride. A budding photographer…

The ducks at the castle were there to welcome us. As kids we used to take them day old bread. I completely forgot about it this time that I was with Lea and they figured it in no time and turned around.

Yes, there is a castle in their town. One that lived through the French Revolution and that has been used after that in many different ways. It has been the City Hall for many many years now.

Everywhere you walk around the castle you can spot remnants of times long gone. A mix of overgrown and preserved.

One side of the castle used to be a primary school where I spent one year there. It was downright awesome… Going up stone cold stairways to get to our classroom. Daydreaming while looking through the windows over looking the water underneath us.


The doors are the same. The paint chips the same. Even the cobblestone have remained.

I will be back and show you more of the trip. Other places where I grew up and lived. In the meantime, I promised my two adorable nieces to bake a tart and a cake.
Note: from reading the comments there seems to be a misunderstanding: this is not the place where I was born and grew up.
72 comments:
Those pictures are just breathtaking! What a beautiful place.
How lovely. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
What a beautiful scenery and apparently close to where I live ;) (Versailles). The French countryside is absolutely gorgeous, can't get enough of it!
Enjoy your holidays to the fullest!
Bisous, Chantal
Your nieces are so beautiful. No wonder you can't help baking for them!! I love this walk so much. I needed a peaceful stroll like this today, even a vicarious one. :-)
Beautiful post Helene.. Love the comments for each photo..esp the bench one :)
So, are the sermons as long elsewhere?
So different to not see desserts on your blog, but you did leave us with a promise....
Wow - these photos are stunning - everything looks so beautiful and peaceful!
Beautiful.
Post more!
Beautiful! Are the hazy, dreamily-lit photos computer-altered, or did you do some creative camera work?
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing :)
The pictures are absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful day!
Thank you for sharing your home with us. It's so beautiful.
And those girls!! Adorable!
What a special sneak peek into your childhood. I can't imagine how awesome it must have been to grow up there. Beautiful!
This place is so beautiful and the photos are amazing!
xoxo
I love these pictures Helen!! And could your nieces be any cuter??
Oh, man. I can tell I'm about to really enjoy your vacation. :)
No wonder why you're always so romantic and sweet. Anyone who's born in a place you were from has to have those qualities in their character.
Say hi to Lea and her sister from us!
It looks almost like a fairytale there!
Thank you so much for sharing these gorgeous photos! You satisfied my wanderlust for today at least.
Beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing them and your memories!
Beautiful images, thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see Provence photos. I visited the area for 10 days years ago...one of these days, I'll have to come back. Best wishes
PS--thanks again for the chocolate hazelnut tarte recipe. I made it for my BF's bday a few wks ago and it turned out great (even if it didn't look quite like in your photos ;)
Gorgeous, gorgeous photos of your nieces. They are both beautiful (and I'm sure smart too!) That's quite a spectacular school you attended. Looks like something out of a Louis Malle film. Glad your having fun!
Beautiful photography, and your nieces are just so adorable. Thanks for beautifying my day!
Beautiful post. Thanks Helene for this wonderful tour!
The children are so lovely.
Elles sont adorables tes nièces, Hélène !
J'attends la suite du périple avec impatience !
Your photos are really lovely, I love the first one and the one with the church
Your photos are really lovely, I love the first one and the one with the church
gorgeous!!! thanks for taking us along on the visit! :)
Hope someone HD videos your grandpa as he relays his war stories!! What a treat it would be [even if I don't understand french!]
That first photo is perhaps the most beauitful that I have ever seen, and I am not often guilty of hyperbole. Enjoy your trip. I studied in Aix-en-Provence in college...those were among the happiest 6 months of my life, even if all I did was hang out with other exchange students!
What a beautiful place!! It seems that you really enjoyed it!
Such a magical place! Thank you for sharing with us. xo
Even though there were no food photos this time, I absolutely love this post! I can't wait to see more!
simply beautiful. love the photos, love france, and your nieces look so sweet. i'm excited to see more of your trip, and jealous of anyone who has lived somewhere so gorgeous. :)
--Alex
http://twolittlehornes.blogspot.com
Helen, gorgeous photos.and how great to get a fellow photographer together on a walk. Have a wonderful time in France with your family. Can't wait for more photos.
So much enjoyed the pictures and reading this post and i kow yourtwo nieces are going to enjoy your baking i wish i was them to enjoy it too.
It's very funny because i'm french, and i've been following your blog for a while, actually. Then I came to the USA this summer, and i understand you when you talk about intersections ! It's not so clear in france ;) Have a nice stay in our country, profite de la baguette, et du paysage provençal :)
beautiful photos
Tes nièces sont ravissantes -- quels beaux portraits !
So beautiful.
More please.
wonderful photos that truly captivate!
i love france…south of france & your photography makes me hope that return will be very soon…
enjoy your family & have fun baking with your cute nieces!
Beautiful photos and great post. i wish I was in France now as well!!!
Beautiful photos! I laughed at what you said about weird intersection. I'm from England and yep, it's exactly the same!
Thank you so much for the beautiful tour; I've had, I'm sure like many, an idealized image of France that your photos did nothing to dispel. Charming, filled with old and new and a history we've only read of in books. Les infants c'est magnifique.
What a breathtaking tour, and your nieces are so gorgeous! looking forward to more pics of your travels.
Helene, I've been following your blog for a few months now after your feature in White on Rice Couple. The soft, cool lighting and stillness of your images invokes a peace rarely seen - you have a lovely technique. If you happen to see any vegetable gardens while on your trip, would you capture just one image? I design edible landscapes and would love some authentic inspiration from the French countryside. Sending Aloha from California!
Asha: yep! They are long everywhere I hear :)
Pictures of cake: it's a preset I used in post processing.
Lindsay: I will do my best, promise!
Very beatiful pictures...
what a beautiful place... love those hydrangeas and their beautiful color... love also the beautiful architecture and the fact that you have preserve it... have a nice weekend
Thanks for sharing these photos and you have the most adorable nieces! Have a lovely weekend, all of you!
such a gorgeous place for your parents to call home and for you to visit. your photos are wonderful from the buildings to the flowers to the ducks and your adorable nieces. enjoy yourself!
Your blog has been a steady diet for me for at least 4 months, now.
I am a francophile and I have visited many parts of France because of the people and the places. You have a keen eye for showing the best! What a treat to open you blog and view your photos - not to mention the recipes! Fantastique!
Que dire de notre belle France, que tout simplement partout dans le monde, on l'aime.
Georgous images. Isn't it grat to go back home from time to time.
When you were at school in the castle, did you daydream you were a princess waiting for her prince?
So very lovely. Wish my parents lived there. Instead we all live in the hot, dry, oldstone-less Valley of California. A different charm, I'm sure.
C'est très joli! Je vis en région parisienne mais je ne connais pas ce coin. Les photos sont belles, comment obtenir tous ces tons de couleurs façon photo vieillie? En tout cas j'ai hâte de voir les prochaines en Provence!
What an awesome pitures you have taken. It's such a soothing feeling looking at all your great works here. Thank you....
These photos are so beautiful! This area looks amazing. So lovely!
Helen, thanks for sharing your trip to France with us. The castle where you spent a year at school is gorgeous.
Love what you say about that old bench---waiting on it for your folks to get a treat. Now it would have so many uses! Bet you wish you could have one in your studio.
Looking forward to reading more about your adventures. xo
Your photos are SO gorgeous!
oh such pretty pictures, i want to live there! thanks for sharing!
I feel like I'm on vacation as well... thank you for sharing such lovely photos. I especially like the first tree with red flowers and the red fire hydrant.
~Chef Louise
Thank you for sharing your pictures. They are lovely to look at, and I felt like--if just for only a moment--I was there enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells.
Wonderful pictures. The actions you used fits the photos well.
It's good to visit places of your childhood..brings memories back..♥
Wonderful pictures..
It's nice to visit places of your childhood..brings back memories..♥
Beautiful post, Helen. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Love, love love all of your AMAZING pictures. I spent some time in Paris twice last year and yes, the road signs really confused me. The one that I especially had a hard time with was the one with a car that looks like it is blowing up. Can you explain that one to me? Again, I am in love with your blog!
I am breathless by the beauty of your photos, I almost feel like I am on your journey with you...I am taking notes for my trip to Paris, your sounds perfect! Grandpa is adorable!
Great photos and thanks for the lovely trip.. albeit cyberspace ;))
Thank you for sharing, great pictures.
What amazing pictures-I could look at your blog all day just for them!!
Thank you for sharing... and enjoy your holidays!
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